Shoelace holding device



April 1, 1941.' A W H, HIRSCH 2,236,506

i SHOELACE HOLDING DEVICE I Filed June 25, 1940 1 WC1/VLM AL BERT WH. H/sch'.

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Patented Apr. 1, 1941 UNITEDA STATES PATENT OFFICE SHOELACE HOLDING DEVICE Albert W. H. Hirsch, Tampa, Fla.

Application June 25, 1940, Serial No. 342,388

5 claims. y tol. 24r21 This invention relates vto a slioelace holding device.

An .object of the invention is the construction of a simple and eicient device for quickly and securely locking or fastening shoelaces particularly, or Iany other laces such as draw stringsv on bags, laces in clothing, leather goods., etc.

Another object of the invention isv the construction of a device including a casing through which the ends of a lace are threaded, this casing being provided with manually-operated 4means for engaging portions of the shoelace and normally holding same against movement, whereby the object upon which the lace is mounted will be retained in a closed position.

With the foregoing and other objects in View, the invention comprises certain novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of pants as will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in .the accompanying drawing, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a view in iront elevation of a device constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing the same applied rto a lace, while Figure 2 is a top plan view of same.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 3 3, Fig. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a sectional View taken on line 4 4,

Fig. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is an enlarged top plan view of another embodiment of the present invention, while Figure 6 is a front view of the same.

Figure 7 is a sectional View taken -on line 1 1, Figure 6 yand looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 8 is -a sectional View .taken on line 8 8, Figure 7 and looking Iin the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawing, in which I have shown the preferred embodiments of my invention, I designates a casing, preferably made of metal, which casing is provided in its outer end with an aperture 2, and its inner end is entirely open. In the sides of casing I, and near its inner end are registering Iapertures 3, through which portions of the lace 4 Iare adapted to be threaded,

so that rthe lace will extend as clearly shown in Figure 3. Slidably mounted in aperture 2 is a plunger pin 5 that has on its outer end a grip .6, and on its inner end a bevelled-edge head l.

The bevelled-edge of head 1 normally presses or clamps tightly upon portions of the lace 4. A coil spring 8 is placed around plunger pin 3, with the inner end of the spring pressing upon head 1 and its outer end pressing upon the closed outer end of casing I,

The lace 4 is threaded through eyes 9, which eyes are mounted upon the shoe or garment that isto be closed by the lace; my device will eiiiciently operate on any kind of a garment where a lace is employed. Further, I use the term lace in ya broad sense, meaning any kind of a shoe lace or a string or a like device.

The head 1 has its bevelled vedge preferably roughened (Figs. 3 and 4), so as to assist in einciently holding the lace from slipping or creeping ywhen the head 'I is clamping or pressing upon same.

In the embodiment shown in Figures `5 to 8 a casing Ill is employed which is preferably cylindrical shape. In this casing I U is :a filler II, which is cut away at I2, Fig. 8, producing a compartment I3 in the casing I8. The filler Il and casing II'I are provided with registering apertures I4,.and casing Ill is also provided with apertures I4a, registering with said apertures I4. The lace 4 is threaded through apertures I4 and I4a as is clearly shown in Figure 7. A flat clamping spring I5 is fastened by screw I6 to the filler II within compartment I3. The ends of spring I5 clamp upon portions of lace 4, performing the same function as head 'I in the embodiment' shown in Figures 1 to 4. The casing l0 is provided with apertures I'I (Fi-g. 7) :through which extends a iiexible connector I8; the ends of connector I8 :are fastened at I9 lto the flat clamping spring I5 A grip 20 is on the flexible connector I8, outside of casing I Il. Therefore, when fthe operator grasps grip 20 and pulls outwardly, as shown in dotted line in Figure 7, clamping pressure will be removed oi the lace 4, so that it can be threaded freely `through the device. Upon the operator releasing grip 20, the spring will immediately clamp the lace, holding it against accidental slipping. or sliding. f

In the embodiments the common features are the yielding clamping means, engaging the lace, and the sliding manually-operated means that extends through the top of the casing and connected to the yielding clamping means, whereby the clamping pressure upon the lace can be removed, by operator manipulating the device.

It is to be understood that as a time-saver, the device will perform a service to all who wear lace shoes, and in many other cases where laces are used to close or fasten wearing apparel, bags, containers, etc. The customary procedure for tying shoelaces, for example, consists of first making an ordinary knot and then a bow, requiring a minimum of six separate movements or operations. The laces, by means of my invention, may be fastened to any degree of tightness in one quick pull on the lace ends. Only one operation is also required in the reverse process of unfastening. The device also possesses many other features of convenience, safety, simplicity, comfort and beauty.

While I have described the preferred embodiments of my invention and illustrated same in the accompanying drawing, certain changes or alterations may appear to one skilled in the art to which this invention relates during the extensive manufacture of same, and I, therefore, reserve the right to make such changes or alterations as shall fairly fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a casing provided at opposite portions with lace receiving means, a yieldable clamping unit in said casing and positioned between said opposite portions, and means provided with a grip outside of said casing and being connected to said yieldable clamping unit, whereby said unit can be operated by the operator.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a casing opened at its inner end and closed at its outer end, said outer end provided with an aperture, a plunger pin slidably mounted in said aperture, said casing provided near the open inner end with a pair of registering apertures, a bevelled clamping head in said casing contiguous to said registering apertures and fastened to said plunger pin, a coil spring on said plunger pin having one end bearing against said head and its other head bearing against the outer end of said casing, and a grip on said plunger pin outside of said casing.

3. In a. device of the class described, the combination of a casing provided with means for threading portions of a. lace therethrough, a clamping spring in said casing and being adapted to engage portions of a lace when threaded through said casing, and manually-operated means connected to said clamping spring.

` 4. In a device of the class described, the ccmbination of a casing, a iiller in said casing, said casing and ller provided with lace-receiving apertures, a fiat spring fastened to said ller and having portions in the line of movement of a lace passing through said lace-receiving apertures, and yieldable operated means extending through portions of said casing and securely fastened to said flat spring.

-5. In a device of the class described the combination of a cylindrical-like casing, an elongated ller in said casing, said filler being cut away at its center, said casing and filler provided with registering lace receiving apertures, a fiat spring fastened at its center through part of the cut-away portion of said filler, said at spring having its ,ends extending to said registering apertures, whereby said ends will press upon portions of the lace threaded through said apertures, a ilexible connector slidably mounted upon portions of said casing, said connector having its ends xedly secured to said fiat spring, and a grip outside of said casing and mounted upon said exible connector.

ALBERT W. H. HIRSCH. 

